Applications to present at the 2020 conference will open in the new academic year. Please check back for updates.

On Friday 29th March 2019, over 200 staff, students and visitors attended the third Annual Student Sustainability Research Conference.

Building knowledge and capacity of sustainability is fundamental to our teaching strategy here at Leeds, and this event celebrated and highlighted the critical role that student research plays in finding innovative interdisciplinary solutions.

The day consisted of student presentations, an all-day exhibition of academic posters, networking sessions and a keynote speech by University Chancellor Professor Dame Jane Francis.

Research showcased on the day, from both University of Leeds and Leeds Arts University students, ranged from valuing the City’s trees through the i-Trees project to designing a waste-free fashion future; improving sustainable drainage systems for sustainable cities and a discussion on surfing’s place in society illustrated through the medium of Surf Art. Students also linked their research back to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The day culminated with an inspiring keynote speech by Professor Dame Jane Francis on her experiences as Director of the British Antarctic Survey including accounts of the impact of single-use plastic on wildlife and her thoughts on the launch of the University of Leeds and Leeds University Union’s #2023PlasticFree pledge.

This was followed by an awards ceremony, which celebrated the excellent poster entries shown as part of the conference exhibition.

We were delighted with the strong turnout and a show of great enthusiasm from delegates and would like to thank everyone involved with making the event a success.